Psychobitch is a one-woman show, yet Sindhura Kalidas’ masterful character work convinces you that the stage is full of people.
Psychobitch follows Anya Samuel as she prepares to convince her fiancé that she’s not emotional through a series of corporate slide decks. It’s an amusing concept, and the decks are incorporated seamlessly into the show, almost becoming a secondary character in their own right.
The writing from Amanda Chong results in a tight script that is impeccably well-performed. The audience is immediately invested in Anya’s growth, making realisation after realisation alongside her. It’s an especially cathartic process as you learn more about her past, resonating enough with those watching to draw out sympathetic murmurs throughout.
The themes of family and belonging are what make this show much more than a relationship introspection and are what will grip you from start to finish.
Undoubtedly, expectations for what’s going to happen in this show will be subverted in this fast-paced and heart-wrenching portrayal of a woman who dares to have emotions. Psychobitch is every woman who’s ever been accused of having ‘an emotional outburst’ and isn’t afraid to revel in being messy.
The tension builds throughout the show, keeping you invested enough that you want to shout out advice and encouragement. Considering how many characters Kalidas embodies, it’s an impressive feat to get you to remember and genuinely care about so many of them – and genuinely dislike a fair few of them too.
It’s a must-watch this Fringe for anyone wanting to be entertained and perhaps vindicated for past relationships with power imbalances. Anya is complex but clearly presented in the 75-minute show, and the gradual unveiling of her personality leaves you wanting more – and to give her a big hug.
Psychobitch is not one to miss this Fringe, offering a rollercoaster of heartbreak, empathy, and empowerment all at once.
